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What Would Stoics Do

Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE

On Duties 1.102 — Cicero (on the Stoics)

Translation by Walter Miller (1913)

Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.102

The appetites, moreover, must be made to obey the reins of reason and neither allowed to run ahead of it nor from listlessness or indolence to lag behind; but people should enjoy calm of soul and be free from every sort of passion. As a result strength of character and self-control will shine forth in all their lustre. For when appetites overstep their bounds and, galloping away, so to speak, whether in desire or aversion, are not well held in hand by reason, they clearly overleap all bound and measure; for they throw obedience off and leave it behind and refuse to obey the reins of reason, to which they are subject by Nature's laws. And not only minds but bodies as well are disordered by such appetites. We need only to look at the faces of men in a rage or under the influence of some passion or fear or beside themselves with extravagant joy: in every instance their features, voices, motions, attitudes undergo a change.
— Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.102 · tr. Walter Miller (1913)Read in context →

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Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.102, tr. Walter Miller (1913)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.102

Cicero, On Duties (De Officiis), tr. Walter Miller (Loeb, 1913). Text: Perseus Digital Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources and licences

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In plain English

AI-written notes

Desires and aversions should be held on the reins of reason, neither racing ahead nor lagging through laziness, so that you live with a calm mind free from passion. Look at the faces of people in a rage, panic or wild joy and you can see how strong emotion distorts voice, features and posture.

Older wording

“aversion”
— what you try to avoid or fear
“indolence”
— laziness
“lustre”
— shine or brilliance

Themes and situations

  • Emotions and the passions
  • Self-discipline and habit
  • Peace of mind
  • Anger
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Being angry with someone
  • Breaking a bad habit

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Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.102, tr. Walter Miller (1913)